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"Are those two people nearby your teammates? They ran away as soon as they saw me."
"That's just how they are. Both my mother and I are outsiders. The Grass Village has no trust in people like us. When I came to Konoha to take the Chunin Exams, I was already prepared to die."
"Then, did your team have a jonin instructor accompany you?"
"No. The Grass Village is just a small shinobi village. The number of jonin is extremely limited. They only sent two squads to fulfill the invitation from neighboring countries."
"In that case, let me make arrangements for you."
"Mhm… Whatever you say, Ryūsei, I'll do it. I'll listen to everything you tell me!"
In the depths of the forest at night, two figures walked along the path, chatting as they went.
Just like Haku and Kimimaro, once Karin decided to devote herself to someone, she would remain their loyal follower for life.
Even if she never rose to become the woman by his side, even if the one she loved hurt her time and time again, Karin would never grow resentful or turn into a yandere. As long as the person she loved was happy, she would be content—even if it meant never marrying for the rest of her life.
This was the difference between an ordinary simp and the ultimate simp.
And now, Ryūsei had two of them.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Secretly activating his Byakugan, Ryūsei led Karin to one of the entrances of the Forest of Death before forming hand seals and creating a shadow clone.
Then, he took out an envelope filled with cash from his person and handed it to Karin.
"The Chunin Exams will probably last for a while. To avoid your teammates noticing you, and since you can't get a village exit permit right now, I suggest you leave Konoha first and stay somewhere in the Land of Fire temporarily. Once the exams are over, I'll come find you with my jonin instructor and bring you back to Konoha. Take this money to rent a place and eat well."
Karin hurriedly shook her head and waved her hands. "Ryūsei, you don't have to give me money. I can just find a random place to stay."
"Take it."
Suddenly, Ryūsei's gentle demeanor shifted into something more commanding as he firmly pressed the envelope into Karin's hands. Then, with a smile, he said, "Your body is too weak right now. If you don't recover properly, the Hokage won't believe you're a descendant of the Uzumaki clan. If you feel bad about it, just treat this as a loan. Once you join Konoha and start earning money from missions, you can pay me back."
"...Mhm!"
Once again, Karin felt the warmth that only her mother had ever given her. Her eyes grew slightly moist as she nodded vigorously.
"Go. While it's still dark and no one's around, my shadow clone will take you out of Konoha."
"Mhm."
Just as Karin was about to leave with the shadow clone, she suddenly turned back and asked, "Ryūsei, where should I wait for you?"
The corners of Ryūsei's lips curled slightly as he softly uttered a name:
"Short Stack Street."
After sending Karin off, Ryūsei immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to regroup with Shino and Hinata.
He wasn't worried about Karin's safety at all.
The dead of night, combined with the illusionary abilities of The Red Eye's, which even the Byakugan couldn't see through, meant Karin could walk straight out of Konoha's gates without issue.
Ryūsei began searching for Team 8's location.
Once he reached a certain range based on memory, the shadow clone that had been staying with Team 8—also using The Red Eye—instantly dispersed into a puff of white smoke.
Neither Shino nor Hinata seemed surprised by this.
When Ryūsei's shadow clone had returned with their prey earlier, it had already told them that it was just a clone.
As Ryūsei's real body returned, Shino couldn't help but ask, "Ryūsei, did you find who you were looking for?"
"No, I wasn't looking for anyone just now."
Ryūsei shook his head and gave the excuse he had prepared earlier: "While hunting earlier, I met someone interesting. I'll introduce you to them someday."
"Someone from another village?"
"Mhm. Their identity is a bit special. After the exams, I'll need to talk to Kurenai-sensei about it."
Ryūsei nodded, as if unwilling to elaborate further.
Shino didn't press further.
But both he and Hinata couldn't help but feel a little curious about the person Ryūsei had mentioned.
For Ryūsei to take them so seriously, waste so much time on them, and even need to discuss them with Kurenai-sensei… this person must be extremely special and important.
At this thought, Shino and Hinata's minds flashed back to the candidates they had observed during the first exam.
Seeing the two lost in thought, Ryūsei smiled and said, "You two should rest first. I'll keep watch."
"Alright."
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Time flew by, and soon it was morning.
After retrieving water from a storage scroll and washing up briefly, Team 8 resumed their search for Team 7 and Team 10.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Ryūsei's expression shifted slightly.
His hands quickly formed seals, and several shadow clones appeared.
This time, the clones moved at blinding speed, using Byakugan to scan a three-kilometer radius within the Forest of Death, searching for Team 7's location.
Even if he hadn't found them yet, Ryūsei already knew Team 7's current situation.
They must have encountered Orochimaru disguised as a Grass ninja yesterday. Sasuke's neck had undoubtedly been branded with the Cursed Seal of Heaven.
And Naruto—he had also been hit with Orochimaru's Five Elements Seal, leaving both him and Sasuke unconscious.
The only one awake in Team 7 right now was Sakura.
This was also why Ryūsei's shadow clones were in such a hurry.
Because of the first exam, Kabuto Yakushi hadn't gotten the chance to put on his acting performance, which had made Ryūsei forget about a few minor threats.
It had only just occurred to him—after Orochimaru branded Sasuke with the cursed seal, not only did he reunite with Anko Mitarashi in the Forest of Death, but before leaving, he also ordered the Sound Three to kill Sasuke.
In reality, this was to force Sasuke to awaken the cursed seal's power and become addicted to the strength Orochimaru had bestowed upon him.
But because the Sound Three were too loyal and eager, they had already found Team 7 before Sasuke even woke up.
With both of their main fighters unconscious, Sakura was left alone to face the Sound Three.
In the original story, this was the battle where Sakura underwent her first major transformation—cutting her long hair and taking the first step toward becoming "Sakura the Slugger."
Transformation was a good thing… for the original Sakura.
But the current Sakura didn't need any transformation.
Having grown up alongside Ryūsei and the others, Sakura had already changed long ago. She was now a fully competent—even outstanding—support ninja.
If not for her limited chakra reserves as a child, Ryūsei would have already taught her Water Release techniques.
Because Sakura's chakra nature, just like Ryūsei's before graduation, consisted of four affinities: Yin, Yang, Water, and Earth.
Even after graduation, Ryūsei hadn't taught her any ninjutsu. Instead, he had her continue building a strong foundation in sensory and medical ninjutsu, leaving a deep impression on Kakashi so that—just like in the original story—he would recommend her to Tsunade after Team 7 temporarily disbanded.
Which meant that right now, Sakura still didn't have much combat ability.
Before the Sound Three could beat her up, Ryūsei needed to find her first.
With the three shadow clones searching at full speed, they quickly located Sakura's position.
However, the moment the clones dispersed and their memories returned, a cold glint flashed in Ryūsei's eyes.
He turned to Hinata and Shino.
"Sakura's in trouble. I'll go ahead—you two catch up."
With that, Ryūsei's figure vanished without a trace. A blur too fast for the naked eye darted across the treetops.
In the blink of an eye, he was gone from Shino and Hinata's sight.
Seeing this, Shino's pupils shrank slightly behind his sunglasses.
'So this was his real speed? He had even been hiding his Body Flicker Technique's true extent?!'